Edmund Rice Novena 2015 Theme : “Edmund Rice, Disciple of Christ” Sunday, 26 th April – Monday, 4 th May 2015 Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice: Tuesday, 5 th May 2015
Introduction The first CLT meeting of 2015 took us on pilgrimage/Emmaus journey in the footsteps of Edmund Rice. It was appropriate for us as we began a time of specific discernment and planning as leaders. Our Emmaus journey/Edmund Rice pilgrimage began at Edmund Rice House, North Richmond Street, Dublin. Edmund Rice lived in this house from 1831 – 1838, praying with his brothers, sharing the Charism, discerning and making important decisions. We stayed at this historic place with the Christian Brothers, prayed in the space where Edmund prayed, sat in his room and reflected on his life and experience. To have our meeting and discussions in this place, for me, gave meaning and significance to our discernment and decisions. This was a special time and experience as I, for the first time, got in touch with this as pect of Edmund’s life and history. As the Brothers gave us the tour of the house the history and the significance of Edmund’s life and work stood out for me. The next stage of our pilgrimage took us to Callan, the birth place of Edmund and finally to Mt. Sion. Though familiar places to me, it was a new experience being there with the rest of the team; there was something unique about this time together. It was a time to allow Blessed Edmund to inspire our leadership in an intimate way. The welcome we received from the three communities of Brothers epitomised the connectedness of the Edmund Rice family, the spirit and Charism that connects us. For me Edmund is experienced and seen in a new way. How is he renewed in your life and experienced in a new way, wherever you are in the world? Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter to all Consecrated people, on the occasion of the year of Consecrated Life, refers to the giftedness of founders: “…………… So I invite every Christian community to experience this Year above all as a moment of thanksgiving to the Lord and grateful remembrance for all the gifts we continue to receive, thanks to the sanctity of founders and foundresses, and from the fidelity to their charism shown by so many consecrated men and women.” We are invited during this time of reflection and prayer to allow the gift and Charism of our founder, Blessed Edmund, to renew and inspire us in our time. So, a question we may ask ourselves to begin our reflection is, “Why do I see the need to keep the C harism of Edmund alive today? I share with you an adaptation of an article by Brian Grenier, cfc, on how we might see Edmund Rice in our lives: The “ curriculum vitae ” of Blessed Edmund Rice is well known to us and calls for little comment. For us the ques tion today is not “What do we remember about him?” but “ Why do we remember him at all ?” or, better still, “ How do we remember him ?” Do we remember him on his Feast Day as a hero or as a saint ? I suggest that it is the latter. This is not to deny that, from one point of view, Edmund was a hero – for saints are often described as people of heroic virtue and, as the Book 1
of Revelation (21:8) states, there are no cowards in the Kingdom. But there is a difference, indeed there are several differences, between heroes whose deeds quite rightly invite our admiration and saints whose lives call for our imitation. Three differences In the first place, heroes are at the centre of their own stories; but saints, even the greatest among them, are just players in God’s story. Secondly, it is interesting to note that the word ‘hero’ does not appear in the whole of the New Testament. However, the word ‘saint’ occurs no fewer than 64 times – and always in the plural. While ‘hero’ usually points to individual achievement, ‘saint’ always points to a community. Thirdly, heroism may be displayed in what John of Gaunt in Shakespeare’s Richard II calls one “rash, fierce blaze of riot”. Sanctity, however, is for the long haul and requires perseverance over a lifetime. Fidelity within a community Despite personal failings that are part of the human condition, the saint stands out, or is ‘out - standing’ for his or her constant fidelity in and to a community. Edmund Rice’s community was, in the first instance, the community of Christian faith into which he was born. More narrowly, it was the community that he founded and in which he was faithful until death – the Congregations of Christian and Presentation Brothers. His fidelity was expressed in three vowed commitments made at baptism, marriage, and religious profession. Like Edmund we are players in a story, a love story no less, which is ultimately about God. Like Edmund we are called to be faithful in a community of disciples. Like Edmund, in a word, we are called to be saints. This is how we remember him today; and this is what his Feast Day celebration should remind us of. As you engage with these days of Novena prayer, you are invited to share your story, your faith and who you are with each other, treating such sharing as sacred and with respect. I take this opportunity on behalf of the CLT to wish everyone prayerful best wishes on the Feast of Blessed Edmund Rice, 2015. May he live forever in our hearts and may we be constantly renewed in zeal for our Charism made relevant for today. Happy Feast Day! With fraternal best wishes, Br. Barry Noel 2
On behalf of the Congregation Leadership Team Methodology: 1. Introductory Prayers : a. Sign of The Cross b. Prayer of invitation, in the presence of the Holy Spirit ( Come Holy Spirit ..... ) 2. Angelus for Vocations 3. Hymn ( chosen from the CD provided or own appropriate choice ) 4. Opening Reflection 5. Word of God ( Some of these texts include scripture references that Edmund Rice wrote in the beginning of his Bible. They had particular significance for him ) 6. Reflection and Meditation 7. Lived experience and sharing ( Personal sharing on what may have strike you during prayer ) 8. Prayer of Intercession ( spontaneous prayers of intercession or intention ) 9. Our Father 10. Blessed Edmund Rice Prayer 11. Prayer for the Year of Consecrated Life Suggested Symbol/Imagery/Centre Piece : Appropriate coloured cloth(s) A Bust of Edmund Rice/ The Icon of Blessed Edmund/ A painting or picture of Edmund Rice/ or a Relic of Blessed Edmund Rice An open Bible A copy of our Constitutions A candle symbolising the light of Christ These can be used and arranged creatively in the prayer space and visible to the entire group. Feel free to be creative by the use of other appropriate symbols and images that can inspire reflection and prayer. Common Prayers ( To be used each day during of the Novena prayer ) : Angelus for vocations Let us pray… During the Annunciation, Mary is visited by an angel, a messenger from God. Let us p Let u pra ray that y y that young oung peop eople le to today ay w will ll be be a able le to to h hear ear c cle lear arly th ly the v e voic oice of God e of God in in th the mid midst o t of th f the nois e noise e and and dis istra traction of o tion of our time ur time. The Angel Gabriel tells Mary to “fear not”. We as We ask t k the Lor e Lord to to bani banish t the e doubts oubts a and fear fears of t of those b e bei eing ng c called alled to to r rel elig igiou ious li life to fe today ay. Mary’s response is “Be it done unto me according to Thy word”. Let us pray that those who are being called to religious life today will answer ‘Yes” and open themselves to God’s will in their lives. Mary replies “Behold the handmaid of the Lord”. Let us pray that those who answer God’s call today will do so in a spirit of humble service. 3
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